Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a documented miracle in order to initiate the Cause for Sainthood?

No miracle is needed at the initial stages of the process. Once the Pre-Diocesan and Diocesan phases are complete and the cause goes into the Roman Phase, one documented miracle is needed for Beatification and another for Canonization.

Do I need permission from the Church to ask for Tom Vander Woude’s intercession in my prayers?

No. In non-public prayer, you can always ask, without permission, for any living or deceased person to intercede with you in your prayer petitions.

What are the four steps in the sainthood process once a Cause has been opened?

  1. Be declared a “Servant of God.”  This declaration is done by the diocesan bishop after reviewing writings and testimonies gathered by a religious order or lay group.
  2. Be declared “Venerable.”   This declaration is done by the Pope after a diocesan inquiry has been received in Rome and evaluated. 
  3. Be declared “Blessed.”  This declaration is done by the Pope after a miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession has been reported to Rome and verified by a scientific commission.
  4. Be “Canonized,” or declared a “Saint.”   This declaration is done by the Pope after a second miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession has been reported to Rome and verified by a scientific commission.

Where is the case for Tom Vander Woude in the process?

Currently we are in the pre-diocesan phase. No official Cause for Canonization has been opened. The Diocese is currently investigating with the help from the Tom Vander Woude Guild into the life and impact of Tom Vander Woude.

Where are the phases of a Cause for Canonization?

  1. Pre-Diocesan Phase

This phase marks the period of time in which a spontaneous or groundswell of devotion emerges among the laity toward someone arises. An initial investigation is done.

  1. Diocesan Phase

Once a Cause is opened the Diocese conducts a formal and thorough investigation into the “Servant of God.”

  1. Roman Phase

Once the Diocese submit the results of their investigation to Rome, Rome conducts their own investigation by the Office of the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints.

  1. Beatification

After the conclusion of the rigorous investigation into the person’s life, writings and in addition to a proved miracle, the individual receives the title “Blessed.”

How long does it take to canonize a person?

It varies. For some such as St. Carlo Acutis or St. Mother Theresa, it is a rather quick process. For others it takes many years in large part due to the investigation and the miracles.

What kind of miracles are required for “Beatification” and “Canonization”?

In recent centuries, almost all miracles have been “medically inexplicable healings” that were:

    • Instantaneous (the recovery happens suddenly).  
    • Complete (no partial or gradual recovery).  
    • Lasting (the cure is permanent, with no relapse.  
    • Inexplicable to science (that is, no known medical treatment or natural explanation for the healing).  

Why does it on average cost $500,000 to declare a person a saint in the Catholic Church?

The costs involved are mainly:

  •  Hiring a postulator (a Canon lawyer).
  • Paying for reproduction and translation of all public documents written by the candidate.
  • Paying for travel expenses necessary to secure primary testimony of personal witnesses and source documents.
  •  Paying travel expenses for witnesses and personnel in the Roman Phase.
  •  Preparation and distribution of devotional materials and outreach

 

References: https://fatherflanagan.org/canonization-process/

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